Correct a parent's details on a birth certificate

Victorian law allows a person to change their record of sex.

A parent who has changed their record of sex (and name, if applicable) may apply to have their child’s Victorian birth certificate changed accordingly.

Changes can only be made to the child’s birth certificate if the child was born in Victoria.

Parental descriptors are:

• Mother
• Father
• Parent.

The updated birth certificate will show the parent’s current name and parental descriptor.

You may correct the child’s Victorian birth certificate only once in 12 months.

The Registrar cannot correct a parent’s name on their child’s birth certificate if the parent:

• Changed their name only after their child’s birth (no change of sex); or
• Corrected their record of sex using a process other than Change a record of sex (e.g. by using the correction process under s. 43 of the Act).

We assess all corrections before making them.

Who can apply?

Correct your own birth certificate

If you are an adult (18 or older), you can apply to correct your parent’s details on your Victorian birth certificate.

You will need the parent’s consent to correct their details.

Correct your child’s birth certificate

If you are a parent of a child (under 18), you can apply to correct their Victorian birth certificate in relation to your details.

If you have more than one child, you must apply separately for each child.

Child’s consent

• If your child is under 12, their consent is not needed
• If your child is 12 or older (and under 18), they must provide written consent to the correction
• If your child is an adult (18 or older), you can’t apply on their behalf. Only they may apply.

What you’ll need to do

Apply to correct a birth certificate

Return the original birth certificate

We ask you to return the original certificate before we can issue a new, corrected version.

If you return the original certificate

Post the original certificate to our mailing address. Please include your order number.

Once we’ve corrected the record, we’ll send you a new certificate free of charge.

If you can't return the original

You’ll need to provide a Statutory Declaration (External link) explaining why. Learn more about how to digitise and upload documents.

Once we've corrected the record, you'll need to apply for a new birth certificate. There is a fee for the new certificate.

We recommend that you don’t order a new certificate until we’ve corrected the record.

Notify the other parent

Once we’ve corrected a birth certificate, all previous birth certificates are invalid.

Therefore, if one parent applies on their own, it is important that they notify the other parent (if any) named on the birth certificate.

If one parent applies on their own, BDM will contact the other parent (if there is a second parent on the child’s birth registration). We will ask them to return their child’s birth certificate as there has been an amendment.

Evidence required

Depending on the correction, you may need to provide further evidence (see below).

BDM will check that a parent altered their record of sex under Part 4A of the Act.

Proof of identity

You will need to provide certified copies of proof of identity for:

• The parent whose details the application is seeking to correct; and
• The child named on the birth certificate (if the child is 12 or older).

Fees and payment

Postage fees are additional. Refer to Correct a birth certificate.

Certificate

When you correct a Victorian legal birth certificate you get a new birth certificate. You will also get a new commemorative birth certificate if BDM must also correct the one you already have.

The birth certificate shows the parent's:

• Current name
• Parental descriptor.

There’s no history of changes to that parent’s sex or any previous names on the certificate.

The history on the back of the legal birth certificate will note that the parent’s details have been corrected and the date of the correction, without any details.